equity provides mentors for young people

African leaders in politics and business are set to grace the annual equity leadership congress to give leaderships tips to the young people of Kenya. The 12 day congress will see the top students in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) being addressed and mentored by presidents of African countries as well as business tycoons on leadership. According to Philemon Kibiru, Senior programme manager Equity Group Foundation, the purpose of the congress is to give better clarity of what leadership is to the younger generation

“We are providing a platform for the students to interact with their leadership icons. We want the leaders of tomorrow to start leading in their schools today. We want more confident and trained leaders,” Mr Kibiru said. The congress that began in 2010, consists of the wings to fly scholars and Pre university scholars, and is set to host more than 4000 students from across Kenya this year. Mr Kibiru added that the number of wings to fly scholars in leadership training had increased from 165 in 2010 to 2144 in 2012 and a significant increase also noted in the Pre university scholars. Lone Felix Pre University 2009 said that he attends the congress to meet people he considers role models. The former student of Goseta Secondary school in Trans Nzioia district said that because of being mentored by former Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) Director PLO Lumumba at last year’s congress, he formed a mentoring group and a youth for integrity initiative. “It was a life time opportunity to interact with PLO Lumumba, his speech on going back to the caves has been my driving force. It is not every young person who gets to sit next to a prime minister and president and be adviced by them,” Mr Felix said. The Kenyatta University law student said that the congress has exposed him to local and international leadership strategies and ideas. Ms Felistus Muteti an Alliance Girls High School student said that she hopes to improve her performance in school after the congress. The form two student from Mboni East district, said she desires to see her role model Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, to teach her on how to gain confidence and courage. “I hope the congress will help me gain my self-esteem in my academics. I then will be a leader by helping others improve their performance,” Ms Muteti concluded. The congress that will take place at Kenyatta University Ampi-theatre will be graced by among others, Former Botswana President Fest-us Mogae, Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo, Minister for Higher Education Margaret Kamar, Group CEO- Bidco company Vimal Shah, Managing director Gina-Din Corporate Communication, Gina Din Kariuki.